The Rosary – An Instrument of Peace by Jennifer Gladen

I try to make a habit of saying the Rosary every night. I used to attempt it at the very end of the night and most of the time I would fall asleep. I’m pretty sure the reason is every time I say the Rosary, I’m filled with peace. A calm, worry free, relaxing peace. But because I have a hard time making it through the entire Rosary that late at night, I’ve been saying it a little earlier.

One night, my 4-year old son was having a hard time going to sleep. I chose to stay in the room with him until he settled down. I tried reading four of his favorite books to him. It worked for a second, but he was determined to stay up. His older sisters were awake. Why couldn’t he stay up too? After attempting to read to him, I turned down the lights and sat very quiet. However, he took that time to try to convince me to let him stay awake.

Then I decided to say my Rosary. I started to say it quietly in my head, but it was hard with my son’s fussiness. So, I said it aloud. I was up to the first decade when I decided to say my prayers out loud in front of my son. By the time I got to the second decade, he was silent and calmed down. He was amazingly peaceful for the entire Rosary. He listened intently, and became relaxed.

It’s hard to tell when he actually fell asleep, but to be sure, I started a second set of mysteries. After the second decade I stopped, for he was surely asleep. Since then, I have done this several other times and it always has the same effect – peacefulness.

I pray the Rosary as often as I can and it never ceases to amaze me. This is the most powerful prayer in the world. It has calmed me after severe hurtful situations, it always brings peace to my heart, and now I’ve witnessed it bring peace to my son’s heart.

If you’ve neglected your Rosary (as I have until about 1 1/2 years ago), consider picking it up. You’ll be glad you did.

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1 Comment

Jennifer, I am so thankful that I read your story! My 2-yeare old daughter loves to stay up late. I did notice that most of the time during our good night prayers she begins to calm down. It was so cute when she started asking to pray with me. She said, “More God, Mommy.” Now, she says, “Pray to God, Mommy.” When she was so tired in the car last week, I also needed to rest and I really wanted to have some peaceful prayer time. We were listening to Catholic radio and I noticed that right when she began to hear the praying of the rosary she started to calm down. I’ll start praying the rosary at night with her, too. I know she loves to pray, so I’m sure she will enjoy it. Thanks again for your story.